Misty endeavours in the Fens

An early start in the Fens for Nomads 2s as mist swirled around the Bourne Deeping astro.
The sun-strike and billowing mist combination resulted in a somewhat surreal scene at the outset of the game, where shadows flitted, sometimes athletically, around the arena.
If I was looking into the sun, the game was at least at the right end of the pitch, even if I had no idea who had the ball.
Occasionally John, Matt and Barry, peering inquisitively into the mist from deep in Nomads territory, were surprised by a Bourne striker emerging through the misty shadows.
And then, as the mist subsided, Bourne Deeping went for plan B of their strategy, and turned on the smoke machine. Once again visibility disappeared in clouds of acrid blue smoke. I kid you not.

But this particular Saturday, this particular game of hockey, ended up being notable for the re-emergence, from the mists of time (and Cambridgeshire), of a piece of vintage Nomads hockey, served up by that venerable goal-scoring machine, Lloydy. This modern-day version, complete with bionic hip, may not be quite as rapid as past models, but given a hockey ball and a sight of an opposition goalie there is quite a lot that still seems to be in good working order! A hat-trick indeed. One neat finish after quick hands in a crowded D, one poach from a metre out at the far post, then all capped off by an absolute rip-snorter of a finish from his favourite angle, running in from the inside right channel before unleashing an unstoppable bullet of a shot past a startled, motionless, keeper into the far corner. Many of us have seen this all before, but what a difference it makes to a team to have someone able to execute such a finish. And how demoralising for the opposition. I swear that a couple of their team almost applauded that last goal, with an accompanying resigned sigh.

Anyway, around Lloydy's exploits, the Nomads collective mostly controlled the game with plenty of neat passing and movement. It could, probably should, have been more comfortable. Even Lloyd showed he is human, missing an open goal after a precise sequence of passes down our left. Other earlier chances were spurned, and it was somewhat of a relief to eventually get off the mark, with 2-0 at the break seeming comfortable.
But being comfortable is dangerous in competitive sport. And Bourne-Deeping were competitive.
Nomads started the 2nd half slowly, and some loose play allowed BD their 1st short corner. A second quickly followed and this was dispatched at the far post.
Suddenly Bourne Deeping had a spring in their steps, and a contest ensued. But the hard working Nomads defence and midfield held firm and without any further drama managed to wrest back some control.
Even some enforced time off the pitch for grizzled defender Jude failed to upset the flow of the game, and I think Lloyd's coup de grace was whilst Nomads were down to 10 men.
Plenty of good performances on show from the men in Orange (yes, we won again in the Orange kit), with young wing-backs Ben and Jude providing alert tackling and plenty of go-forward down the flanks. Ganja glides effortlessly, it seems, around the midfield, always effecting the game in a positive way, but definitely shouldn’t be playing for the 1st team at his great age.. And young Will negotiated a whole game without getting a card, running the BD defence all over the place and only the 2 reverse stick air shots (that I counted) this time.
Hard-working Mel went for the conversion when a pass to the excellently positioned Rick would have surely yielded a memorable goal, and the stalwart resistance at the back by Matty, Barry and Felix kept Bourne Deeping at bay when needed. With Tim providing midfield solidity, Ali, all energy going-forward, and Paul completing the up-front complement it is hardly a young team, this Nomads 2nd XI. But the complementary energy of youth, and the guile of the old hands, this is a team with promise. A team, my friends, that is now top of the table!
But with greater challenges to come, don’t get too comfortable..